Hebrews 2:10–18 - 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.” 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. What does today’s passage say? In today's passage, the writer explains why it was fitting for the Son of God to become human (vv. 10-13). By taking on flesh and blood, Jesus could experience suffering and death, allowing Him to lead many to salvation (v. 10). He is not ashamed to call believers His brothers and sisters since they share the same family (vv. 11-13). The passage also reveals Jesus' victory over the devil and death through His incarnation and sacrificial death (vv. 14-15). By sharing in humanity, He could free people from the slavery of fearing death (vv. 14-15). Finally, it describes Jesus as a merciful and faithful high priest who, since He was tempted in every way yet remained sinless, He can sympathize with human weaknesses and provide help (vv. 17-18). How can I apply Hebrews 2:10-18 to my life? Today, the writer tells us how Jesus took on human flesh in the incarnation so that He could lead us to salvation. These verses showcase Jesus' remarkable identification with us in our struggles and sufferings. As believers, we must allow these truths to shape how we relate to Christ and navigate the difficulties we face. When loneliness, pain, or injustice afflict us, we can find solace knowing that our Savior has walked the same challenging paths. He understands our anguish in a deeply personal way. Jesus is not a distant, unfeeling figure – He is our compassionate Brother who weeps with us and strengthens us through His empathetic presence. Furthermore, these verses declare that through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Jesus has secured the ultimate triumph over sin, evil, and even death itself. We are not powerless victims but victors in Christ! No matter our circumstances, we can rejoice in the supremacy of our risen Lord, our King over every enslaving force. Jesus is our merciful and faithful High Priest. He has been tempted and suffered in every way we have yet overcome every trial and every temptation. Therefore, we can approach God's throne confidently, knowing that our High Priest understands our weaknesses and pleads our cause. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
He Became Like Us and Suffered Like Us to Lead Us to Salvation (v. 10): In order to blaze the trail as the author of our salvation, the writer of Hebrews says that it was fitting for the eternal Son to become fully human and endure the same sufferings we face. The eternal Son willingly became human and endured suffering so He could lead us to salvation. When the sting of loneliness afflicts you, find comfort that your Savior understands the depths of rejection and isolation. When overwhelmed by physical pain or emotional anguish, take comfort that Jesus experienced the fullness of human suffering, even unto death. In your darkest valleys, follow His example of enduring without sin, and let your trials strengthen your dependence on Him as the author of your salvation. Invite Jesus to lead you through your afflictions, just as He walked the path of suffering to purchase your redemption. Submit to His guidance, entrusting your pain to His empathetic leadership. Trust that like a leader, He is clearing the way for you, using your struggles to shape you into His likeness and bring you into eternal glory. Allow the reality of His personal experience of suffering to fortify your faith (Philippians 3:10-11, 1 Peter 2:21-23, 1 Peter 4:12-13).
Food for thought: What specific suffering are you enduring that you need to entrust more fully to Jesus? How can His perfect example and leadership strengthen you during this trial?
Find Comfort in Jesus, Our Brother in Suffering (vv. 11-13): Providing us with profound comfort, the passage reveals that Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters because, in the incarnation, He chose to personally share in our human experience. Let this reality sink in: the eternal Son lovingly took on flesh and became your spiritual sibling so that in your suffering, you could find perfect comfort through His nearness and intimate empathy. When tears stream down your face, be strengthened knowing your Brother in heaven weeps alongside you. When injustice crushes your soul, know that your Brother was betrayed by His closest friends and condemned by corrupt leaders. When wrestling against the unrelenting enticement of temptation, turn to your Brother who endured the full force of Satan's lures yet never once caved in to sin. Because of His humanity, He truly understands the unique struggles you face. Allow His companionship as your Brother in suffering to sustain you through your darkest nights. Cling to the unshakable truth that He is with you, ever-present, and His empathy offers profound, tangible comfort. Let the assurance that you are united in God's eternal family through Christ bring you peace and a settled sense of belonging, even in your most painful circumstances (Romans 8:16-17, Hebrews 4:15-16, Hebrews 12:2-3).
Food for thought: What specific emotions, injustices, or temptations are you grappling with that you need your Brother's comfort and companionship for? How can meditating on His understanding and presence strengthen you?
Rejoice in Jesus as the Victorious Author of Our Salvation (vv. 14-15): Through His incarnation, death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus has secured the ultimate, decisive triumph over the forces of evil, sin, and death! This astonishing victory is not merely philosophical - it is your inheritance and present reality as a believer. Therefore, rejoice! Even when circumstances overwhelm you, choose to celebrate His victory in your life. Whatever stronghold seeks to entrap you - entrenched sin patterns, crippling fear, oppressive shame, or descending hopelessness - declare and claim in confidence Christ's supremacy over it. Approach each challenge as one who is more than a conqueror through the power of Him who triumphed over every foe. Let unshakable hope rise within you as you praise Jesus as your risen, victorious Lord and the author of your deliverance from slavery and despair. Allow the truth of His unrivaled supremacy to fill you with an unflinching spirit - with endurance to persevere, joy in the midst of suffering, and boldness to advance His Kingdom purposes (Romans 8:37-39, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Colossians 2:13-15).
Food for thought: What specific fear, sin pattern or oppression do you need to experience and apply Christ's victory over more fully? How can you cultivate greater joy, hope, and courage by rejoicing in His ultimate triumph?
Trust in Jesus as Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest Who Has Been Tempted Like Us (vv. 17-18): So that He could represent us fully, these verses teach that Jesus was made like us in every respect through His incarnation, qualifying Him as our merciful and faithful High Priest. When you find yourself facing powerful temptation, being swayed by the enticements of sin, turn immediately to Jesus, your merciful and faithful High Priest who truly understands your struggle. He faced the full force of every temptation - to indulge the flesh, grasp for power, take shortcuts in obedience. Yet He never once sinned, modeling the path to overcome. Jesus also intimately knows the agonies of suffering. He was mocked, beaten, abandoned by friends, and hung on a cross. He felt the depths of injustice, rejection, and was even forsaken by the Father. There is no temptation or trial that He has not known. Entrust your battles to Him without reservation. Approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing this High Priest sympathizes with your weaknesses and failures. Find hope that He faithfully provides sustaining grace and mercy, no matter how weak or defeated you feel. When you falter, look to the One whose understanding is matched only by His power to forgive, restore, and strengthen you. Do not be satisfied with fleeting victories. Develop a habit of taking every temptation, every sin, and every affliction before your High Priest's throne. Let His priestly intercession be your lifeline, as He pleads your cause before the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25, 2 Timothy 2:12-13).
Food for thought: In this season, what specific temptation, sin, or suffering do you need to urgently entrust to Jesus' priestly ministry? How can you grow in the spiritual discipline of persistently depending on His mercy, advocacy, and supply of grace? Jesus’ incarnation and sufferings, His victory over evil forces, and His role as our merciful High Priest show us our Savior's unwavering love and commitment to us. These realities should shape how we handle our trials, temptations, and Christian walk. When suffering and loneliness threaten to overwhelm us, we must cling to the truth that Jesus truly understands our pain as our Brother in affliction. His empathy and presence can comfort and sustain us. In our moments of deepest anguish, we can rejoice, knowing that Christ has already secured the ultimate triumph over everything that comes against us. His decisive victory empowers us to not only endure but endure with eternal hope. And when we stumble, we can run boldly to our High Priest's throne, receiving the mercy, grace, and help we desperately need. Jesus' perfect understanding fuels His ability to sympathize and strengthen us in our weaknesses. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You would open my eyes to see Jesus more clearly through this passage. Help me to never forget His profound solidarity with me as my Brother in suffering. May I turn to Him instinctively when I experience loneliness, injustice, and affliction, finding comfort in His empathy. I pray that I would learn to rejoice more authentically in the reality of Christ's decisive victory over sin, evil, and death itself. Free me from oppression and fill me with unshakable hope as I celebrate His supremacy. Most of all, I ask that You would increase my dependence on Jesus as my merciful High Priest. When I am weak and failing, prompt me to confidently approach Your throne of grace, trusting in His perfect understanding and advocacy before You. Help me to abide in His sustaining mercy and enabling grace. Use this passage to forge a deeper intimacy between me and my Savior. I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Hebrews 2:17-18 – “17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” With His Blessings, Pastor Corby
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